Idaho Mule Deer Elk California Bighorn Sheep

Unit 42

Idaho Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, California Bighorn Sheep

Idaho Unit 42 mule deer hunts are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through the state's controlled hunt system. Tags are issued by random draw, with applicants selecting a first and second choice hunt during the May application window. Review the IDFG big-game regulations and Hunt Planner for current season dates, weapon types, and historical draw odds specific to this unit.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 42

Mule deer in the Oakley / Albion Mountains country use timbered mahogany benches, aspen pockets, and sage-covered ridges. Glass mid-elevation south faces at first light, then transition to shaded draws during midday.

Use the IDFG Hunt Planner map layer to identify public-land boundaries and access points before the season.

How to Hunt Unit 42

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Controlled-hunt success rates in Idaho vary widely by unit, hunt number, and weapon. Check IDFG Hunt Planner statistics for the specific hunt code on your tag to see five-year trends.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	45	583	7.7%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 42 is a controlled-hunt tag drawn through IDFG's random selection process. Odds depend on resident vs. nonresident applicant pools, first- vs. second-choice preferences, and the annual tag quota. Run historical odds for your target hunt number on the IDFG Hunt Planner before building your application strategy.

Elk Hunting in Unit 42

Idaho Unit 42 elk hunts are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) through the state's controlled hunt system. Tags are issued by random draw, with applicants selecting a first and second choice hunt during the May application window. Review the IDFG big-game regulations and Hunt Planner for current season dates, weapon types, and historical draw odds specific to this unit.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 42

Elk distribution in this unit follows the seasonal pattern typical of Idaho's forested mountain country. Focus on timbered north-facing slopes, riparian stringers, and clearcut edges where cover and forage intersect. Early season hunters should work higher elevations near summer range, while later hunts may concentrate on migration corridors and winter range.

Use the IDFG Hunt Planner map layer to identify public-land boundaries and access points before the season. Pay attention to motorized-use restrictions published in the current big-game rules.

How to Hunt Unit 42

Plan your hunt around the controlled-hunt season dates and weapon type on your tag. Scout the unit ahead of opening day using onX or similar mapping tools to pre-mark glassing knobs, water sources, and access trails. Locate elk by bugling or cold-calling in the pre-rut and rut windows, then transition to still-hunting timber pockets and ambush setups on active trails as pressure increases.

Be prepared for steep terrain, variable weather, and long pack-outs. Carry gear for overnight spikes if the road-accessible areas get crowded.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle73%

Controlled-hunt success rates in Idaho vary widely by unit, hunt number, and weapon. Check IDFG Hunt Planner statistics for the specific hunt code on your tag to see five-year trends. Weather, fire activity, and herd dynamics year to year all move success numbers substantially.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	14	634	2.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

California Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 42

Unit 42 covers the Nevada border country of southern Idaho, including the Jarbidge Mountain foothills and the lower Bruneau River breaks. California bighorn sheep occupy the rocky canyon terrain where Idaho's high desert meets the Great Basin landscape. The unit borders Nevada's Jarbidge Wilderness and provides a desert canyon hunting experience that is among the least-pressured bighorn hunts in the state. Access from Bruneau or Murphy requires navigating remote dirt roads.

Where to Find California Bighorn Sheep in Unit 42

Sheep in Unit 42 occupy the rocky canyon and rimrock terrain of the lower Bruneau breaks and the rugged foothills approaching the Nevada border. This is desert bighorn country at its most remote.

Lower Bruneau Break Country

The lower canyon system where the Bruneau River approaches the Snake River plain hosts bighorn on steep rocky sidehills and canyon wall exposures. Glass from accessible rimrock points above the canyon, covering the open faces on both sides of the drainage.

Rocky Buttes and Isolated Rimrock

In the flatter terrain between canyon systems, isolated rocky buttes and basalt rimrock outcrops serve as sheep refuges and mineral licks. These isolated features are often overlooked — glass them carefully when driving access roads to locate sheep away from the main canyon systems.

How to Hunt California Bighorn Sheep in Unit 42

Unit 42 rewards hunters who invest in road-accessible pre-season scouting on BLM roads crossing the unit. Once sheep locations are established, stalks through the relatively open desert terrain require careful wind management.

Road-Based Scouting and Glassing

The BLM road network through the southern Idaho desert allows hunters to cover a lot of ground by vehicle, stopping at high points to glass adjacent canyon terrain. Pre-season trips to locate resident sheep bands save days of hunting time when the season opens.

Desert Wind Patterns

Desert wind is often variable and swirling in canyon terrain. Hunt with consistent winds during stable weather. Avoid stalks when wind is shifting or building — sheep in open desert terrain will wind you at 200+ yards even with careful movement.

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California Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Success rates in Unit 42 run 60–75%. The relatively lower applicant pressure and good road network make this a practical unit for hunters who put in pre-season scouting miles. Ram quality is solid — mature desert canyon rams with good mass.

California Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	3	115	2.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 42 offers some of the better California bighorn draw odds in Idaho — typically 2–5% for residents in years when tags are issued. The unit's remote location deters some applicants, keeping odds marginally better than the more accessible Owyhee units.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for an Idaho Unit 42 mule deer tag?

Apply through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game controlled-hunt application system during the posted May window. Choose a first and second choice hunt on your application.

Is Unit 42 an OTC or controlled hunt for mule deer?

Unit 42 mule deer tags are issued through IDFG's controlled-hunt draw rather than sold over the counter. Check the current IDFG big-game seasons and rules for exact hunt codes.

How do I apply for an Idaho Unit 42 elk tag?

Apply through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game controlled-hunt application system during the posted May window. Choose a first and second choice hunt on your application.

Is Unit 42 an OTC or controlled hunt for elk?

Unit 42 is a controlled-hunt designation, so tags are issued by random draw rather than sold over the counter. Check the current IDFG big-game seasons and rules for exact hunt codes.

Is a 4WD vehicle required for Unit 42?

High-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended for reaching sheep habitat in Unit 42. BLM roads through the southern Idaho desert can be rough and muddy when wet — soft desert soils can trap 2WD vehicles far from help in a very remote area.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

IDFG Big Game Hunting — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Season structure, Weapon types, Unit-level regulations · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Controlled Hunts — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Controlled hunt application, Draw timeline, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Hunt Planner — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Historical draw odds, Harvest statistics, Unit selection · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Big Game Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit boundaries, Season structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18